Greater Hume Shire mayor Denise Osborne said the recent back-flip is the final straw in a shameful process that started almost two and a half years ago.

“The whole process can be described as a sham from the start,” she said.

The ARTC and SIA have displayed a readiness to close both crossings north of Culcairn to accommodate the installation of passing lane 14 despite the huge impact it would have on residents of Culcairn and district.

Following intense lobbying in February this year, the ARTC provided advice in writing that boom barriers would be installed at the Baird Street crossing to improve safety outcomes.

Works at the Ashleigh Park crossing were to consist of road works to the west of the crossing and boom barriers.

Advice has now been received that the only work to be undertaken is the installation of boom barriers at the Ashleigh Park crossing. No other works will be undertaken.

“Incredibly the ARTC has stated that the installation of boom barriers at the Baird Street crossing would not improve safety,” Cr Osborne said.

Furthermore, the ARTC has stated, due to a number of factors including low traffic counts and the accident history, no other works other than the boom gates will be necessary at Ashleigh Park crossing.

At the Council meeting last week, Director of Engineering Greg Blackie said, “the ARTC made a promise and the fact they are not going through with it makes mockery of the safety agreement.”

Councillors are disappointed in the way the whole process has been handled. The Roads and Traffic Authority (RTA) has put up obstacles to the extent they have withdrawn from all discussions about the crossings.